Hundreds of students and community members gathered at the Memorial Belltower on Friday and marched to Witherspoon Student Center to protest the recent federal immigration enforcement presence in North Carolina. A coalition of student organizations organized the event, which featured speakers and chants emphasizing education, solidarity with immigrants and community organizing.
The protest was organized in direct response to the sudden announcement and deployment of ICE and Border Patrol agents in Raleigh and surrounding areas on Tuesday. After a days-long operation in Charlotte, the agents were moved into Raleigh with no cooperation with local law enforcement. They were reportedly spotted by students in and around NC State’s campus. However, Technician has been unable to verify those claims, and NC State Police said they were unaware of any activity.
David Suarez, a fourth-year computer engineering student and president of the Gamma Sigma chapter of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, opened the demonstration with a speech. Suarez, a first-generation Latino college student, said he feels it is important for Latinx students to use their voices in times of need.
“We’re here to make our voices heard, to make our actions felt and to remind those in power that their authority is only as strong as we make it,” Suarez said to the crowd. “We’re not just here for one day, either. We’re here to create a lasting change.”…